High-fat foods such as pistachios can provoke the onset of pancreatitis, a painful and very serious irritation of the pancreas that requires medical attention. Repeated bouts of pancreatitis can cause permanent damage and may lead to pancreatic cancer. To minimize the chances of such an attack, avoid alcohol and foods with high fat content, even those with healthy fat, such as pistachios and other nuts, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse and Mayo Clinic.
Definition
Your pancreas is a large gland that sits behind your stomach and beneath your liver. It produces enzymes that your body uses in the digestive process, as well as the hormones insulin and glucagon. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that traps the digestive enzymes inside the gland, where they attack the tissues and may cause permanent damage. In its most severe form, pancreatitis may cause internal bleeding, low blood pressure, dehydration or failure of the heart, kidneys or lungs, says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Acute Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden-onset form of the condition that usually requires hospitalization but recedes within a few days. Every year, about 210,000 Americans suffer attacks of acute pancreatitis, according to the National Institutes of Health. The leading causes are alcohol and gallstones, but high blood fat, medication, infection, ulcers, cigarette smoking, tumors and genetic abnormalities also may give rise to this condition. Symptoms include abdominal pain or tenderness, bloating, fever, rapid pulse, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Some patients feel pain radiating into the left shoulder and the back. Because pistachios are high in fat, they can provoke an attack of acute pancreatitis.
Chronic Pancreatitis
Chronic pancreatitis also is an inflammation of the pancreas caused by the entrapment of digestive enzymes, but it's a degenerative condition that eventually destroys the pancreas. The onset of the disease usually occurs between ages 30 and 40. Symptoms are similar to acute pancreatitis, but you also may experience weight loss because of diarrhea and your body's inability to absorb fat properly. Long-term alcohol abuse is the leading cause of chronic pancreatitis, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, but some cases stem from hereditary factors -- diseases such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes and hyperparathyroidism, and medication or chronic high blood fat. Also, a single attack of acute pancreatitis can damage the duct that leads out of the pancreas. This may result in chronic pancreatitis. Your doctor may advise testing to determine whether the attack you suffered after eating pistachios caused permanent damage to the pancreas.
Treatment
Treatment for acute and chronic pancreatitis may involve hospitalization. In many cases, doctors prohibit the patient from eating or drinking for several days to give the pancreas a chance to heal. Patients usually receive hydration and, in cases in which weight loss is a concern, nasogasteric feedings. If your pancreas is damaged, your doctor may prescribe synthetic enzymes to help your body digest food more effectively and you may need insulin or a special diet to control diabetes. If your pancreatitis is related to an obstruction, such as gallstones or a cyst, you may need corrective surgery. If you have persistent pain, your doctor also may recommend surgery to sever abdominal nerves that transmit pain.
Prevention
Avoid alcohol and smoking, which tend to provoke pancreatitis. If you take medication, talk to your doctor about whether this may be a contributing factor. Avoid high-fat foods, including pistachios and other nuts, fried foods, fast food, and desserts with high amounts of butter or cream. Choose lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to make it easier for your body to process the food. Drink plenty of water to support the digestive process.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Pancreatitis
- MayoClinic.com: Pancreatitis
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics: Pancreatitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Pancreatitis
- InfoDisease.com: What Is Pancreatitis: http://www.infodisease.com/Pancreatitis.php
- The Washington Post: Is That Right? Pistachios Are Lowest-calorie, Lowest-fat Nut?
